Hosted by Variety VP & Executive Editor Steven Gaydos, festival goers will get the chance to hear from some of the brightest and most promising writers of the year and get the latest news and insights behind their upcoming projects.

WHISTLER -The Whistler Film Festival, slated for November 29 – December 3, is again hosting Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the 6th consecutive year. This year’s honoured screenwriters will share their personal stories and challenges related to succeeding in today’s film industry at an afternoon conversation on December 2 as part of WFF’s Signature Series.

Hosted by Variety VP & Executive Editor Steven Gaydos, festival goers will get the chance to hear from some of the brightest and most promising writers of the year and get the latest news and insights behind their upcoming projects.

Both film fans and filmmakers have found this event to be illuminating and instructive, making it one of WFF’s most anticipated events of the festival. * Eight of the ten screenwriters, with two in teams, are confirmed to attend the festival and will receive their coveted award at WFF’s Awards Celebration on December 3.

Variety’s class of 2017 screenwriters and notable credits include:

Liz Hannah – "The Post"

Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan – co-wrote "Chappaquiddick" *

Hallie Meyers-Shyer – “Home Again”

Maggie Betts – "Novitiate" *

Tracy Oliver – co-wrote "Girls Trip" *

Daniel Stiepleman – "On the Basis of Sex” *

Dorothy Blyskal – “The 15:17 to Paris” *

Sarah Ruhl – “My Life on the Road” *

Samuel V. Franco and Evan Kilgore – co-wrote “Keeper of the Diary” *

John Whittington  – "Lego/Batman *

“The Whistler Film Festival has proven to be a wonderful destination for Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch,” says Steven Gaydos, Vice President & Executive Editor, Variety. “It’s inspiring to be able to celebrate writers and writing in this convivial atmosphere where international film professionals gather to experience the best in cinema,”

“The Whistler Film Festival is delighted to collaborate once again with respected entertainment industry authority, Variety, to present Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch class of 2017,” says Whistler Film Festival’s Executive Director, Shauna Hardy Mishaw. “With Variety showcasing the brightest and most promising writers of the year, the chance to meet and hear their stories first-hand makes this a must-attend discussion for both casual fans and aspiring filmmakers.

Variety’s 10 To Watch program began 20 years ago, annually celebrating breakthrough actors, directors, screenwriters, producers, comics, and cinematographers.

Writers who have appeared on the 10 Screenwriters to Watch list in years past include Oscar winners Jennifer Lee (“Frozen”), Geoffrey Fletcher (“Precious”), Charlie Kaufman (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) & Julian Fellowes (“Gosford Park”); Emmy winner Lena Dunham (“Girls”), Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen (“This Is the End”), Ken Daurio & Cinco Paul (“Despicable Me” 1 & 2), Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (“Star Trek”), and Danny Strong (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler”).

From November 29 to December 3, the Whistler Film Festival will welcome film fans and filmmakers to experience its 17th edition featuring 87 fresh films, special guests, epic events, unique industry and talent programs, and time to play in North America’s premier mountain resort destination.